How Jimmy Garoppolo's five starts left a $137.5 million impression on 49ers

By Daniel Brown, Bay Area News Group

Thursday, February 8, 2018

All that money after just five starts with the 49ers? Crazy as it sounds, receiver Marquise Goodwin was sold on the quarterback long before that.

“Look at him! He’s got it together,” Goodwin said after Garoppolo’s debut as the 49ers starter in December. “Some people are just winners and he’s a winner.”

Here’s a look at the games that helped the 49ers decide to give their franchise quarterback a reported five-year, $137.5 million deal Thursday.

Date: Nov. 26 at Levi’s Stadium

Jimmy G-whiz: Late in the fourth quarter, Garoppolo came off the bench to make his 49ers debut after rookie C.J. Beathard took a hit from Michael Bennett. Garoppolo had only 1:07 left to work with — plenty of time to make a first impression. He found Louis Murphy for a 10-yard touchdown as time expired.

Stat line: 2 for 2, 18 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 143.7 rating

Date: Dec. 3 at Soldier Field

Jimmy G-whiz: The kid who grew up in suburban Chicago orchestrated a winning drive in his 49ers starting debut. Trailing 14-12 with about 2 minutes left, Garoppolo connected on a 33-yard pass to Trent Taylor to help set up Robbie Gould’s fifth field goal of the day.

Stat line: 26 of 37, 293 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 82.4 rating

Date: Dec. 10 at Reliant Stadium

Jimmy G-whiz: Garoppolo threw for 334 yards and again made big plays at crunch time. The score was tied with about 2 minutes left in the third quarter when he hit Garrett Celek on a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it 23-16.

Stat line: 20 of 33, 334 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 92.2 rating

Date: Dec. 17 at Levi’s Stadium

Jimmy G-whiz: Gould kicked a 45-yard field goal as time expired after Garoppolo’s magic set it all up. He needed just 67 seconds to set up the final score, answering immediately after a Titans’ go-ahead field goal with 1:07 to play.

Stat line: 31 of 43 for 381 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 106.8 rating

Date: Dec. 24 at Levi’s Stadium

Jimmy G-whiz: Against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses, Garoppolo carved up the field by throwing for two touchdowns and running for a score. The Jaguars came into the game having allowed the fewest points and passing yards in the NFL, but Garoppolo went 5 of 6 for 75 yards on the opening drive alone.

Stat line: 21 of 30, 242 yards 2 TD, 1 INT, 102.4 rating.

Date: Dec. 31 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Jimmy G-whiz: The Rams rested most of their starters, allowing Garoppolo to finish with a flourish. Behind him, the 49ers capped their season with a five-game winning streak. “Hopefully, for next year, we keep this going,” Garoppolo said.